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Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and know very little about GPS, but since I'm interested in making a purchase, I am doing some research and trying to understand (emphasis on *trying* -- jury is still out on the success of that endeavor).

My main question focuses on the location of the unit. A little information here... I am looking to get a middle-of-the-road (so to speak) GPS unit which will give me step by step instructions and does what the Garmin site called "speaks street names" and which I've read elsewhere is called text-to-speech.

On my want list in order of importance:
- ease of use (intuitive, and can be manipulated while driving if need be),
- moderate cost (under $300 if possible),
- bright screen,
- favorites list,
- avoid toll roads,
- re-route if I make a "wrong" turn,
- alternate route if I land in traffic and want something different (I'm in Los Angeles, sometimes the traffic backs up and you just don't care about direct anymore, you want *anything* else),
- ability to receive traffic data from outside source (FM?) (optional),
- audio book player (totally optional).

I'm considering several of the Garmin products (although I haven't ruled out other manufacturers). Seems the Nuvi 300 series or higher units are popular here so I'll need to trundle on down to the local store and take a look see.

Now comes the part about location of the unit (you were wondering when I'd get around to that, I'll bet). I have a very utilitarian business vehicle, the lovely little Toyota Yaris hatchback. Yes, it's butt ugly, but in a cute way. In front of the driver and behind the steering wheel (where most cars have their instrument display) is actually a small compartment like a glove box. (pic here: http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/2 ... oto_10.jpg) I was thinking maybe I can semi-permanently mount the GPS unit in there so I can easily close up that little compartment when I get to where I'm going and there would be no need for a windshield mount thingee (technical term there). So my question here is will the GPS unit still be able to talk to the satellites through the cheap plastic compartment door or will that be too much interference? If I can put the thing in there and it works okay, that would be great. It would be right in line of sight for me while I'm driving, the compartment door doesn't impede my vision, and it just closes like normal and nobody will be the wiser that a GPS hides in there. Yes, I'd have to drill a hole or two for wires and find a way to stabilize it in there (mount it somehow), but that part seems simple enough to a reasonably inventive person.

Based on what you all know of GPS systems, would it work? I can provide more pictures from my own car of what the compartment looks like if that will help. It's small, and quite literally the compartment door forms the top and front of it so there is no other real insulation directly above the compartment.

Thanks for any advice or feedback you can give.

ugh. yaris. its tiny i believe. try buying a nuvi from the store, fitting it and return it. i have a large SUV which is more unreliable than your yaris but has a huge dashboard. you need to get a unit which can be seen without taking your eyes from the road. i mount mine near the drivers side wiper edge. may not work if your yaris has a curved dashboard.

LOL. Well, to each his own. I have my reasons for the choices in vehicles as I'm sure do you with your vehicle.




It's not a question of will it fit. I already know it will fit. My question revolves more around whether the unit will *work* if it is underneath something plastic (the lid of the compartment in front of the driver -- where on most cars you would have a speedo, mine has a compartment. speedo is center mounted instead of in front of the driver). The design of this compartment is such that quite literally the compartment lid curves such that it is both top and front of the compartment. So the thickness of the lid (plastic) is what would be above the unit (opened or not) while the unit is in use. So it's a question of the ability of the unit's antenna thing to communicate with the satellites through this plastic door.

I'm trying to get a handle on what physical interference the device can deal with. Yes, I could buy it and try it, but if I return it I pay a 15% restocking fee. Seeing as I'm leaning heavily toward the Nuvi 360, that restocking fee will be real money. In addition to that, I'll have wasted time (this being more valuable to me). I figure you folks have been working with these things for years and know way more than I do from first-hand experience.

I suspicion I'll have to show a picture that better exemplifies what I'm working with and what I mean.

A reasonable thickness of plastic should not interfere with GPS signals but the only way to be sure would be to try it. If you can't get the loan of a Nuvi try any model that you can borrow.

If there is only plastic then not a real problem, but what of the bonnet (metal?), roof (metal?), side pillars (metal?) etc. Then of course there will be a driver (no doubt) behind the wheel whom will also interfere with the signal.

All depends on how low in the dash you intend mounting it?

Roseanne,

I viewed your picture of where you want to mount the device, and do not believe this will pose a problem. I say this because I have a Nuvi 350 and I mount it on a beanbag mount which is placed below the climate control (on top of a large cup holder) in my Honda Odyssey. That would be midway on the dash, and about half way between the top of the dash and the floor. I have perfect reception in this area (all satellite reception bars totally green). Additionally, all the spoken commands are given in plenty of time to make the turns. I'm not too sure about wiring or mounting inside that glove box, but I'm sure that an audio installation shop should be able to handle that task for you. In summary, based on my mounting configuration with a Nuvi, I'd say go for it........

Joel

So... How did that installation work out?

I might be shopping for a new car for my GPS!